U.S. patent application number 12/969866 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for battery disconnect scheme for a portable data terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hand Held Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kirk Burmeister, Eric Linn, Sherri Reed.
Application Number | 20120155019 12/969866 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45524249 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120155019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burmeister; Kirk ; et
al. |
June 21, 2012 |
BATTERY DISCONNECT SCHEME FOR A PORTABLE DATA TERMINAL
Abstract
A portable data terminal includes a housing; a controller
operating software and supported by the housing; a battery well
formed in the housing; a male connector disposed in the battery
well comprised of a plurality of male contacts; a battery pack for
seating in the battery well having a female connector comprised of
a plurality of female contacts for electrically mating with
corresponding male contacts to electrically connect the battery
pack with the male connector when the battery pack is seated in the
battery well, such that when the battery pack is unseated from the
battery well and disconnected from the male connector, a signal
male contact is electrically unmated from it's corresponding signal
female contact to initiate a shut down procedure before other male
contacts are electrically unmated from their corresponding female
contacts, such that the other male/female contact pairs continue to
provide power to the portable data terminal until shut down of the
portable data terminal.
Inventors: |
Burmeister; Kirk;
(Charlotte, NC) ; Reed; Sherri; (Charlotte,
NC) ; Linn; Eric; (Fort Mill, SC) |
Assignee: |
Hand Held Products, Inc.
Skaneateles Falls
NY
|
Family ID: |
45524249 |
Appl. No.: |
12/969866 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1635 20130101;
G06F 1/30 20130101; H01M 2220/30 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101;
G06F 1/26 20130101; H01M 50/216 20210101; G06F 1/1675 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.55 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A portable data terminal comprising: a housing; a controller
operating software and supported by the housing; a battery well
formed in the housing; a male connector disposed in the battery
well comprised of a plurality of blade contacts, wherein at least
one of the blade contacts is shorter than other longer blade
contacts; a battery pack for seating in the battery well having a
female connector comprised of a plurality of contacts for
electrically mating with corresponding blade contacts to
electrically connect the battery pack with the male connector when
the battery pack is seated in the battery well, such that when the
battery pack is unseated from the battery well and disconnected
from the male connector, the at least one shorter blade contact is
electrically unmated from it's corresponding receptacle before the
longer blade contacts are electrically unmated from their
corresponding receptacles.
2. A portable data terminal, as set forth in claim 1, wherein
unmating the at least one shorter blade contact causes the software
to begin a shut down procedure to shutdown the portable data
terminal.
3. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a latching mechanism to secure the battery pack into the
battery well.
4. A portable data terminal, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
latching mechanism is configured such that a user must move the
battery in a horizontal direction, rotate the battery into vertical
alignment, and move the battery in a vertical direction to remove
the battery pack from the PDT.
5. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a pivot on which the female connector is rotated.
6. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising at least one contact spring for biasing at least one
blade contact.
7. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
latching mechanism is comprised of a protrusion from the battery
pack.
8. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
latching mechanism is comprised of a horizontal track and a
vertical track extending from a rotation well formed in at least
one side of the battery well.
9. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
latching mechanism is comprised of a protrusion from the battery
pack that mates with a horizontal track and a vertical track
extending from a rotation well formed in a side of the battery
well.
10. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein
unmating the at least one shorter blade contact serves as a signal
to a controller to begin the shut down.
11. A portable data terminal comprising: a housing; a controller
operating software and supported by the housing; a battery well
formed in the housing; a male connector disposed in the battery
well comprised of a plurality of male contacts; a battery pack for
seating in the battery well having a female connector comprised of
a plurality of female contacts for electrically mating with
corresponding male contacts to electrically connect the battery
pack with the male connector when the battery pack is seated in the
battery well, such that when the battery pack is unseated from the
battery well and disconnected from the male connector, at least one
signal male contact is electrically unmated from it's corresponding
signal female contact to initiate a shut down procedure before
other male contacts are electrically unmated from their
corresponding female contacts, such that the other male/female
contact pairs continue to provide power to the portable data
terminal until the shut down procedure shuts down the portable data
terminal.
12. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 10, further
comprising a latching mechanism to secure the battery pack into the
battery well.
13. A portable data terminal, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
latching mechanism is configured such that a user must move the
battery in a horizontal direction, rotate the battery into vertical
alignment, and move the battery in a vertical direction to remove
the battery pack from the PDT.
14. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 10, further
comprising a pivot on which the female connector is rotated.
15. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 10, further
comprising at least one contact spring for biasing at least one
blade contact.
16. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
latching mechanism is comprised of a protrusion from the battery
pack.
17. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
latching mechanism is comprised of a horizontal track and a
vertical track extending from a rotation well formed in at least
one side of the battery well.
18. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
latching mechanism is comprised of a protrusion from the battery
pack that mates with a horizontal track and a vertical track
extending from a rotation well formed in a side of the battery
well.
19. A portable data terminal as set forth in claim 10, wherein
unmating the at least one shorter blade contact serves as a signal
to a controller to begin the shut down procedure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Mobile devices (also referred to as smart phones, handheld
devices, handheld computers, PDAs, PDTs, etc.) are widely used
worldwide, and may be described as pocket-sized computing devices,
typically having a display screen with touch input or a miniature
keypad. In some mobile devices the input and output are combined
into a touch-screen interface. Mobile devices are popular because
they provide the assistance and convenience of a conventional
computer (laptop, notebook or otherwise) in environments where
carrying one would not be practical. Enterprise digital assistants
further extend the available functionality of mobile devices.
[0002] An Enterprise digital assistant (EDA) is a handheld computer
adapted for usage with SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) and
Enterprise business Application software|Applications as a data
capture mobile device. Such data capture applications include
indicia readers, biometrics, magnetic stripe, smart card and RFID
data capture technologies used within communication networks such
as WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks), Bluetooth, Wide area
network|WAN/LAN/Personal Area Network|PAN voice and data
communications, VOIP and GPRS Edge Communications.
[0003] A PDT generally comprises a mobile computer, a keypad and a
data acquisition device. The mobile computer generally comprises a
hand held (or "pocket") computing device. Keypads come in a variety
of alpha-numeric and numeric configurations. The data acquisition
device generally comprises a device that captures data from, for
example, radio frequency IDs (RFID), images, and bar codes. Data
may also be captured via keypad entry and utilization of a touch
pad associated with the mobile computer.
[0004] Typical mobile devices require either a large capacitor or
some sort of secondary actuation switch to allow the mobile
computers a short period of time to save data on an abrupt loss of
power (i.e. battery is removed). Large capacitors, however, require
a large amount of room. Some devices incorporate a battery door
with an actuation switch that will shutdown the device upon
removing the door, so that there is sufficient time to save data
before the battery is able to be removed. An additional piece such
as a battery door adds thickness to the device, along with sealing
and mechanical issues surrounding how a switch is to be
actuated.
[0005] Efforts regarding such systems have led to continuing
developments to improve their versatility, practicality and
efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1a is a top plan view of an exemplary PDT.
[0007] FIG. 1b is a bottom plan view of an exemplary PDT
[0008] FIG. 1c is a side view, partially cutaway, of an exemplary
PDT.
[0009] FIGS. 2a-2b are illustrations of an exemplary battery
pack.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary male
connector.
[0011] FIGS. 4a-4d are schematic illustrations of a procedure for
removing a battery pack from a battery well.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary PDT.
[0013] It will be appreciated that for purposes of clarity and
where deemed appropriate, reference numerals repeated in the
figures may indicate corresponding features. Also, the relative
size of various objects in the drawings may in some cases be
distorted to more clearly show the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout. The following description will use nomenclature
associated with a PDT, however those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that the present invention is applicable to a
variety of other portable devices including: personal data
assistants (PDAs); bar code scanners; consumer electronics
(including portable radios, televisions and phones); and the like.
It is anticipated that many such portable devices would benefit
from the present invention, including the embodiments thereof
described herein. It is to be noted that an element number followed
by a letter generally indicates multiple occurrences of similar,
either in structure or function elements. Further, the use of an
italicized "n" (e.g. n) associated with an element number generally
denotes either an unspecified one of such elements or a partial or
complete group of such elements--the meaning of which is to be
drawn from the context of such use.
[0015] The term Portable data terminal (PDT) refers to data
collection devices used to collect, process, and transfer data to a
larger data processing system. Most PDTs are ruggedized to some
extent for use in industrial environments. The tougher the
environment, the more robust the PDT. PDT's are available from
several sources, including the assignee of the present
application.
[0016] A method is here, and generally, conceived to be a sequence
of steps or actions leading to a desired result and may be
implemented as software. While it may prove convenient to discuss
such software as if were embodied by a single program, most
implementations will distribute the described functions among
discrete (and some not so discrete) pieces of software. These
pieces are often described using such terms of art as "programs."
"objects." "functions." "subroutines," "libraries," ".dlls."
"APIs." and "procedures." While one or more of these terms may find
favor in the present description, there is no intention to limit
the invention to the described configurations.
[0017] In general, the sequences of steps in the present methods
require physical manipulation of physical quantities. These
quantities take the form of optical, electrical or magnetic signals
capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared or
otherwise manipulated. Those of ordinary skill in the art
conveniently refer to these signals as "bits", "values",
"elements", "symbols", "characters", "images", "terms", "numbers",
or the like. It should be recognized that these and similar terms
are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and
are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities.
[0018] With respect to the software described herein, those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there exist a variety
of platforms and languages for creating software for performing the
methods outlined herein. Embodiments of the present invention can
be implemented using MICROSOFT VISUAL STUDIO or any number of
varieties of C. However, those of ordinary skill in the art also
recognize that the choice of the exact platform and language is
often dictated by the specifics of the actual system constructed,
such that what may work for one type of system may not be efficient
on another system. It should also be understood that the methods
described herein are not limited to being executed as software on a
computer or DSP (Digital Signal Processor), but can also be
implemented in a hardware processor. For example, the methods could
be implemented with HDL (Hardware Design Language) in an ASIC.
[0019] In the present description, an element number followed by a
letter generally indicates multiple occurrences of similar, either
in structure or function, elements. Further, the use of an
italicized "n" (e.g. n) associated with an element number generally
denotes either an unspecified one of such elements or a partial or
complete group of such elements, the meaning of which is to be
drawn from the context of such use.
[0020] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c are views of a known PDT 100. The
illustrated example utilizes a popular form factor incorporating a
body 102. The body 102 generally supports a variety of components,
including: a battery pack 103; an LCD with associated touch screen
106; a keyboard 108 (including a scan button 108a); a scan engine
110; and a data/charging port 112 (not fully illustrated). The scan
engine 110 may comprise, for example, an image engine or a laser
engine. The data/charging port 112 typically comprises an interface
with one set of pins or pads for the transmitting and receiving of
data and a second set of pins or pads for receiving power for
powering the system and/or charging the battery.
[0021] In use, the user may actuate either the scan key 108a or the
trigger 114 to initiate an image capture via the image engine 110.
The captured image is analyzed. e.g. decoded. to identify the data
it represents. The decoded data is stored and possibly displayed on
the PDT 100. Additional processing of the data may take place on
the PDT 100 and/or a data processing resource to which the data is
transmitted via any available transport mechanism on the PDT 100.
Some examples of known transport mechanisms utilized by PDT's
include: Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, CDMA, USB, IrDA, removable FLASH
memory, parallel and serial ports (including for example,
RS-232).
[0022] The battery pack 103 generally comprises a housing, one or
more cells, and associated circuitry. The battery pack 103 may be
located in a battery well 128. Electrically, an array of contacts
(not shown) and a switch (not shown) are provided in the well. The
array of electrical contacts are situated on the floor of the well.
The electrical contacts may be spring biased to ensure adequate
communication with the electrical contact. The switch may be
engaged by a portion of a battery access panel 318. The switch may
have a variety of configurations, for example it may utilize
similar mechanical components as a keypad or a comprise a variety
of detection circuits, e.g. mechanical, optical or magnetic. The
function of the switch is to provide an indication when the battery
access panel is removed.
[0023] The battery pack may be spring loaded in the well utilizing
one or more spring mechanisms 324 to assist in holding the battery
pack stable until removal is initiated.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing of the battery pack
103 forms a portion of the surface of the housing 102. The battery
pack 103 has a longitudinal orientation matching the longitudinal
axis of the housing 102.
[0025] As a further feature, the well may be molded to have a
limited number of egress points to provide water resistance.
Gaskets may be utilized to render the well resistant to water. By
making the well water resistant, and making the battery water
resistant, the interface between the battery access panel and the
well need not be made water resistant. This may reduce the cost and
complexity of the PDT.
[0026] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate an exemplary battery pack 103 for
supplying power to PDT 100 through a female type electrical
connector that has a plurality of receptacles 120 for receiving
electrically conductive blades or contacts of a male connector 122.
Inside receptacles are female contacts 130 to make contact with the
male contacts. Battery pack 103 has one or more protruding fins
126, fingers or other boss or projection utilized to lock or secure
the battery pack in place when the battery pack is seated in a well
128 provided in the PDT housing.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary male electrical
connector 122 (not fully illustrated) having a plurality of
conductive contacts for insertion into respective female connector
receptacles provided the battery pack. At least one electrically
conductive blade 136 is smaller than other, larger conductive
blades 140. Small conductive blade 136 may be shorter or thinner or
a combination thereof and have a smaller surface or contact area
than the larger blade(s) 140. Electrical energy, such as power or
other signal is conducted between the battery pack and the PDT.
[0028] FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate an exemplary scheme for removal of an
exemplary battery pack from an exemplary PDT. FIGS. 4a-4d
illustrate the battery pack seated in a well 128 of the PDT. A male
connector 122 is provided in the well for connecting to a female
connector in the battery pack. The male connector has at least two
or a plurality of conductive blades or contacts. At least one blade
136 of which is shorter, thinner or otherwise smaller than other
longer or otherwise larger than the other blades. All blades or
contacts (not fully illustrated) of the male connector are in
electrical contact with respective conductive female contacts 130
of the battery pack. Fins that protrude from one or more sides of
the battery pack are disposed in respective or corresponding mating
slots or tracks provided in the sides of the battery well. The
battery well has a horizontal track 150 and a vertical track 152
extending from a rotation well 156 formed in the battery well sides
which, when mated with the battery pack protrusions, form a
latching mechanism to latch and release the battery pack. The
rotation well has a cavity large enough to allow the battery pack
fin to rotate therein. The vertical track extends to the exterior
of the PDT housing.
[0029] FIG. 4b illustrates the battery pack in a first step of
removal of the battery pack from the battery well comprising moving
the battery pack away (in this example horizontally) from the male
connector. Movement of the battery pack in this step disconnects or
unmates the female contact from the corresponding small blade of
the male connector from the male connector's small blade or
contact. One or more of the remaining of the female connector
contacts remain connected to (in contact with) one or more of the
other, larger male blades. The fins protruding from the battery
pack are concurrently or simultaneously moved out of horizontal
mating slots and into a rotation cavity that is contiguous with
horizontal mating slots and vertical mating slots, all of which are
embossed in the sides of the battery well.
[0030] FIG. 4c illustrates a second step of removal of the battery
pack from the battery well comprising rotating the battery pack
with respect to the well and/or male connector. The small male
blade remains out of contact or disconnected with it's
corresponding female connector contact. One or more of the
remaining of the female connector contacts remain connected or
mated to (in contact with) one or more of the other, larger male
blades. The fins protruding from the battery pack are concurrently
or simultaneously rotated within rotation cavity that is contiguous
with horizontal mating slots. Unmating the shorter blade contact
serves as a signal to a controller to begin a shut down software
routine or procedure. The blade contacts still in contact with the
female connector contacts continue to power the PDT until the shut
down routine is completed, thereby preventing loss of data.
[0031] FIG. 4d illustrates a third step of removal of the battery
pack from the battery well comprising removing the battery
completely from the battery well by moving the battery further away
from male connector, in this example by moving the battery pack
vertically with respect to the well and/or male connector. During
this step, all of the male connector contacts, including the other
larger blades are disconnected or unmated from their corresponding
female connector contacts. The fins protruding from the battery
pack are concurrently or simultaneously moved vertically through
vertical mating slots.
[0032] In an exemplary swivelling or rotating design embodiment, a
battery pack is inserted to allow for uninterrupted power during a
battery removal process. The exemplary battery connector scheme
allows for an integrated shutdown system during the first step of
the battery removal process, meaning that a certain amount of time
will elapse between the start of removal of the battery pack by
disconnection or unmating of the smaller contact and the complete
electrical disconnection of the battery from the PDT. Disconnection
of the small contact provides a signal of a change in voltage to
the processor or controller of the PDT to begin the shutdown
procedure. The amount of time taken between that and complete
disconnection using the exemplary configuration is enough to
perform an orderly shut down of the PDT, thereby avoiding
corruption of data and the risk of rendering the PDT inoperable.
Mechanically, this permits the PDT to be designed without the
typical shut-down capacitor (or with the use of reduced shut-down
capacitor).
[0033] An exemplary male connector will have a number of blades
normally used in a PDT with the addition of a smaller blade. This
smaller blade will be used as the shutdown process, integrating it
into a connector that is already required rather than having a
separate system. Only one seal around the battery connector may be
required. When a user removes the battery, they will first have to
operate a locking mechanism to slide the battery slightly towards
the bottom of the unit and cause the smaller blade to become
disconnected, thereby signaling the system to shutdown. The
remaining pins however will still be operating as normal, thereby
providing power to the system to allow necessary data to be saved.
The battery pack (once slid horizontally towards the bottom of the
PDT) may have a pivot on the end of the connector, causing the user
to have to lift opposing end of the battery for removal through a
vertical slot. While the slide and pivot action is being performed,
the battery continues to power the unit to provide time for the
unit to shutdown properly, while keeping the amount of required
components powered.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary mobile
device 1000 which may include a number of subsystems central
processing unit (CPU) 1010 which receives data from and outputs
data to other sub-systems for storage, transmission and additional
processing. CPU 1010 may be implemented using any number of off the
shelf solutions including: embedded processors; general purpose
processors; custom solutions such as pre-configured field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application specific
integrated circuits (ASICs). Overall operation of the CPU 1010 is
controlled by software or firmware, typically referred to as an
operating system, stored in one or more memory locations 1017n,
including RAM 1017a and FLASH memory 1017b.
[0035] Communication to and from the CPU 1010 and the various
sub-components may be via one or more ports or busses, including a
main system bus 1012; 12C busses 1013a and 1013b; a plurality of
Universal Asynchronous Receivers/Transmitter (UART) ports 1014n, a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1015n, and an RS-232 port 1016.
[0036] The illustrated CPU 1010 may include a liquid crystal
display (LCD) controller 1018 for controlling an LCD 1020. A touch
sensitive panel 1021, which may be in communication with one or
more of the CPU 1010 and an auxiliary processor 1024 via the I2C
bus 1013b, may be associated with the LCD 1020 for receipt of data
thereon. The combination of the LCD 1020 and the touch sensitive
panel 1021 is often referred to as a "touch screen."
[0037] A variety of secondary processors may be provided to perform
general and application specific functions. The example illustrated
in FIG. 3 provides two such processors: a field programmable gate
array (FPGA) 1022 and an auxiliary processor 1024. The auxiliary
processor 1024 may comprise any number of embedded (or general
purpose) processors.
[0038] The auxiliary processor 1024 may interface with and control
a variety of data input devices including, for example, the touch
panel 1021, a keyboard 1034 and a scan button 1036. By way of
example, the mobile device 1000 may be configured so that displayed
menu options are selected by physically depressing a key on the
keyboard 1034 or activating the touch screen 1021 with use of a
finger or stylus. The scan button 1036 may be used for initiating
and controlling the various data collection systems, such as an
image signal generating system 1028, an RFID sensing system 1030,
or a magnetic stripe reader 1040.
[0039] The data collection systems (e.g. the image signal
generating system 1028, the RFID sensing system 1030, and the
magnetic stripe reader 1050) may be controlled by one or more of
the CPU 1010, the auxiliary processor 1024, and the FPGA 1022. In
this case, the FPGA 1022 initiates and controls the operation of
the data collection systems and accumulates data received there
from prior to depositing such data in memory 1017n.
[0040] The image signal generating system 1028 generally comprises
a two dimensional solid state image sensor 1029 utilizing such
technologies as CCD, CMOS, and CID, for capturing an image
containing data, e.g. a bar code or signature. Two-dimensional
solid state image sensors generally have a plurality of photo
sensor picture elements ("pixels") which are formed in a pattern
including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of pixels.
The image signal generating system 1028 further includes an imaging
optics (not shown) focusing an image onto an active surface of the
image sensor 1029. Image sensor 1029 may be incorporated on an
image sensor IC chip having disposed thereon image sensor control
circuitry, image signal conditioning circuitry, and an
analog-to-digital converter. FPGA 1022 manages the capture and
transfer of image data into RAM 1017n. Decoding may be performed by
the CPU 1010 or any suitable secondary processor. A variety of
alternatives, including a dedicated laser barcode scanner 1035 may
also be utilized.
[0041] One use of the image signal generating system 1028 is for
reading and interpreting bar codes such as bar code 1051a on an
item 1050. For this operation, when the scan button 1036 is
actuated, the CPU 1010 causes the appropriate control signals to be
sent to the image sensor 1029. In response thereto, the image
sensor 1029 outputs digital image data including (hopefully) an
adequate representation of the bar code symbol 1050. The digital
image data is streamed to the FPGA 1022 where it is collected and
subsequently deposited in memory 1017n. In accordance with a
decoding program (not specifically illustrated) an attempt may be
made to decode the bar code represented in the captured electronic
image representation. The capture and decoding of image data may
occur automatically in response to a trigger signal being
generated, usually by activation of the scan button 1036 or a
pre-selected key on keyboard 1034. For example, the CPU 1010 may be
configured, typically through execution of a program resident in
memory 1017n, to continuously capture and decode bar code symbols
represented therein as long as scan button 1036 is actuated. The
cycle may be terminated upon successfully decoding the bar code
symbol or by timing out after a number of unsuccessful
attempts.
[0042] In addition to having a decode operation, the image signal
generation system 1028 may also be configured for an image capture
operation. In an image capture operation, control circuit 1010
captures an electronic image representation in response to the scan
button 1036 being actuated without attempting to decode a decodable
symbol represented therein. The captured electronic image
representation may be one or more of (i) stored into a designated
memory location of memory 1017n, (ii) transmitted to an external
spaced apart device, or (iii) displayed on LCD 1020. This mode may
be used to capture, for example an image of a signature or damage
to a package.
[0043] In an image capture operation, the image signal generation
system 1028 may be operated in two distinct stages: aiming and
final capture. During the aiming stage, frames output by the image
signal generation system 1028 are displayed on the LCD display
1020. These frames are not saved. Once a user is satisfied with the
content of the image displayed on the LCD display 1020, he or she
initiates the final capture stage. In final capture stage, a frame
(either the frame currently in the buffer or a next frame) is saved
and typically displayed on the LCD 1020. Generally, the aiming
stage is initiated by pressing a designated button (such as a scan
button 1036) with the final capture stage being initiated by
releasing the designated button. It is generally desirable to
display frames as quickly as possible in the aiming stage to ensure
that the user is viewing a recently outputted frame. Otherwise
there is a danger that the frame the user views when deciding to
initiate capture is outdated and does not accurately reflect what
the image signal generating system 1028 is currently outputting
(and what will be captured in final capture stage).
[0044] The RFID reader unit 1030 may include an RF oscillation and
receiver circuit 1032a and a data decode processing circuit 1032b.
RFID reader unit 1030 may be configured to read RF encoded data
from a passive RFID tag, such as tag 1051b, which may be disposed
on article 1050.
[0045] Where the RFID reader unit 1032a is configured to read RF
encoded data from a passive RFID tag, the RF oscillation and
receiver circuit 1032a transmits a carrier signal to the passive
tag which in turn converts the carrier energy to voltage form and
actuates a transponder (not shown) to transmit a radio signal
representing the encoded tag data. The RF oscillator and receiver
circuit 1032a, in turn, receives the radio signal from the tag and
converts the data into a digital format. The data decode processing
circuit 1032b, typically including a low cost microcontroller IC
chip, decodes the received radio signal information received by RF
oscillator and receiver circuit 1032a to decode the encoded
identification data originally encoded into RFID tag.
[0046] RFID reader unit 1030 may, for example, operate in a
selective activation mode or in a continuous read operating mode.
In a selective activation mode RFID reader unit 1030 broadcasts
radio signals in an attempt to activate a tag or tags in its
vicinity in response to an RFID trigger signal being received. In a
continuous read mode, RFID reader module 1030 continuously
broadcasts radio signals in an attempt to actuate a tag or tags in
proximity with unit automatically, without module 1030 receiving a
trigger signal. Mobile device 1000 may be configured so that the
CPU 1010 recognizes a trigger signal under numerous conditions,
such as: (1) a trigger is actuated: (2) an RFID trigger instruction
is received from a remote device; or (3) the CPU 1010 determines
that a predetermined condition has been satisfied.
[0047] Still further, the mobile device 1000 may include a card
reader unit 1040 for reading data from a card 1052. Card reader
unit 1040 generally comprises a signal detection circuit 1042a and
a data decode circuit 1042b. In operation, the signal detection
circuit 1042a detects data, from for example a magnetic strip 1053
on a card 1052. Subsequently, the data decode circuit 1042b decodes
the data. The decoded data may be transmitted to the CPU 1010 for
further processing via the FPGA 1022. The card reader unit 1040 can
be selected to be of a type that reads card information encoded in
more than one data format, such as magnetic stripe data, smart card
or Integrated circuit card (IC card) data, and RF transmitted
data.
[0048] The mobile device 1000 may further include a plurality of
wireless communication system links such as an 802.11 communication
link 1260, an 802.16 communication link 1262, a communication link
1264 for communication with a cellular network such as a network in
accordance with the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),
an IR communication link 1268, and a Bluetooth communication link
1270. Each of these links facilitates communication with a remote
device and may be used to transfer and receive data.
[0049] An exemplary power circuit 1100 supplies power to the mobile
device 1000. The power circuit 1100 generally comprises a series of
power regulators 1102n that regulate the power supplied to the
various components of the mobile device 1000. The power regulators
1102n each generally comprise step up or step down circuits which
are in turn connected to each of the various components in the
mobile device 1000 that require the particular voltage output by
that power regulator 1102n.
[0050] The power regulators receive current from a power bus 1103
which is, in turn, supplied by an exemplary power source 1104, a
first power input 1106 or a connector 1108 that includes a second
power input. The first power input 1106 may comprise a DC power
jack, for example, a 2.5 mm coaxial DC power plug which receives
9.5 volts from a conventional AC/DC transformer. The connector 1108
may comprise any number of known connection technologies. Certain
pins of the connector 1108 may be dedicated to receiving DC power
while other pins are dedicated to one or more communication paths,
such as RS-232 and USB. It may also prove advantageous to provide
DC power out, for example from a power supply 1102a, so as to power
tethered accessories, such as external magnetic stripe or RFID
readers (not shown). It may prove further advantageous to add
circuitry to insulate the first power input 1106 from the second
power input on the connector 1108 and other components in the
mobile device 1000 in the event that a user attempts to supply
power to both power inputs.
[0051] The power source 1104 may be charged by a charge circuit
1110 which receives power from either the first power input 1106 or
the second power input on the connector 1108. Control may be
provided to the CPU 1010 which may modify the charging behavior of
the charge circuit 1110 based on information generated by the
auxiliary processor 1024. In an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary
processor 1024 monitors parameters via an interface. A switch 1112
may control the power source based upon the presence of power from
the first power input 1106 or the second power input on the
connector 1108. Thus, when an external power supply is connected to
either the power input 1106 or the second power input on the
connector 1108, the power source is isolated from the power
regulators 1102n and may be charged via the charge circuit 1110.
Once power is removed from the power input 1106 and the connector
1108, the power source is connected to the power regulators
1102n.
[0052] An exemplary power source 1104 may be comprised of an energy
storage system with a rapid or short charge cycle, such as a fuel
cell which is at least one open electrochemical cell comprised of
an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte that converts a
source fuel into an electrical current and water. It generates
electricity inside a cell through reactions between a fuel and an
oxidant, triggered in the presence of an electrolyte. The reactants
flow into the cell, and the reaction products flow out of it, while
the electrolyte remains within it. Fuel cells are thermodynamically
open electrochemical cell systems that consume a reactant from an
external source, which must be replenished. Many combinations of
fuels and oxidants are possible. A hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen
as its fuel and oxygen as its oxidant. Other fuels may include
hydrocarbons and alcohols. Other oxidants may include chlorine and
chlorine dioxide.
[0053] In an exemplary, power source 1104 may be comprised of a
hybrid battery pack comprising a fuel cell and a thermodynamically
closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion,
or Li Polymer cell battery connected to generate a single output
voltage Vout.
[0054] A thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery,
such as a NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell batteries
generally provide the ability to drive short duration, high current
loads while fuel cells provide space and weight advantages.
[0055] In another exemplary, power source 1104 may be comprised of
a hybrid battery pack comprising a fuel cell and a
thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery wherein the
thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery powers the
mobile device during times of high current load requirements and
the fuel cell powers the mobile device during lower current load
requirements, such as steady state type conditions.
[0056] Steady state conditions may be those conditions wherein a
specified characteristic of a condition, such as a value, rate,
periodicity, or amplitude, exhibits only negligible change over a
predetermined period of time. A steady state condition may exist
after all initial transients or fluctuating conditions have damped
out, and all currents, voltages, or fields remain essentially
constant, or oscillate uniformly.
[0057] In another exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprising a fuel cell and a
thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery wherein the fuel
cell powers the mobile device during times of high current load
requirements and the thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell
battery powers the mobile device during lower current load
requirements, such as steady state type conditions.
[0058] In another exemplary, power source 1104 may be comprised of
a hybrid battery pack comprising a fuel cell which charges a
thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery.
[0059] In another exemplary, power source 1104 may be comprised of
a hybrid battery pack comprising a fuel cell and a
thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery, wherein the fuel
cell may be used to provide power to a mobile device subsystem 1
with relatively higher power requirements and the thermodynamically
closed electrochemical cell battery is utilized to provide power to
a mobile device subsystem 2 with relatively lower power
requirements, such as subsystems that operate in more steady state
type conditions.
[0060] In another exemplary embodiment, power source may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack 1104 comprising a fuel cell and
a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery, wherein the fuel
cell may be removed from the mobile device and placed into a
charging station separate from the mobile device, at which time
power for any onboard systems of the mobile device that need to
continue in an "active" state (such as WiFi, GPS, etc) may be
provided by the thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell
battery.
[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of an energy storage system with a rapid or short charge
cycle, such as an ultracapacitor, also known as a supercapacitor,
pseudocapacitor, electrochemical double layer capacitor (EDLC) or
electric double layer capacitor.
[0062] An exemplary ultracapacitor may be described and illustrated
as an electrolyte suspended between two nonreactive porous
electrodes (or plates or collectors) with a voltage potential
applied across the collectors. In an individual ultracapacitor
cell, the applied potential on a positive electrode attracts
negative ions in the electrolyte, while the potential on the
negative electrode attracts the positive ions. A dielectric
separator between the two electrodes prevents charge from moving
between the two electrodes.
[0063] As a storage device, the ultracapacitor relies on the
microscopic charge separation at an electrochemical interface to
store energy. Since the capacitance of these devices is
proportional to the active electrode area, increasing the electrode
surface area increase the capacitance, hence increasing the amount
of energy that can be stored. High surface area is achieved by
utilizing nanoporous material as the electrolyte, such as activated
carbon or sintered metal powders. Use of nanoporous material
results in an effective separation of charge despite the thin (on
the order of nanometers) physical separation of the layers. The
lack of need for a bulky layer of dielectric permits the packing of
"plates" with much larger surface area into a given size, resulting
in high capacitances in small packages.
[0064] Ultracapacitors have a high energy density when compared to
common capacitors, typically on the order of thousands of times
greater than a high capacity electrolytic capacitor. For example, a
typical D-cell sized electrolytic capacitor will have a capacitance
in the range of tens of millifarads. The same size electric
double-layer capacitor would have a capacitance of several farads,
an improvement of about two or three orders of magnitude in
capacitance, but usually at a lower working voltage.
[0065] Ultracapacitors may not provide continuous energy for as
long as thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell batteries,
such as a NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell batteries, they
may be charged faster. For example, an ultracapacitor may be
charged in minutes or seconds as opposed to hours.
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprising an ultracapacitor and
a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery connected to
generate a single output voltage Vout.
[0067] In another exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprising an ultracapacitor and
a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery, wherein the
thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery powers the
mobile device during times of high current load requirements and
the ultracapacitor provides power during lower current load
requirements, such as steady state type conditions.
[0068] In another exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprising an ultracapacitor and
a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery, wherein the
ultracapacitor powers the mobile device during times of high
current load requirements and the thermodynamically closed
electrochemical cell battery provides power during lower current
load requirements, such as steady state type conditions.
[0069] In another exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprised of an ultracapacitor
which charges a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell
battery, such as a NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell
battery.
[0070] In another exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprising an ultracapacitor and
a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery, wherein the
ultracapacitor may be used to provide power to a mobile device
subsystem with relatively high power requirements and the
thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery is utilized
to provide power to a mobile device subsystem with lower power
requirements than subsystem, such as subsystems that operate in
more steady state type conditions.
[0071] In another exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprising an ultracapacitor and
a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery, which charges an
ultracapacitor. In most of retail wireless handheld scanner
applications and transportation PDT applications, only a short
cycle operation time when the unit leaves the cradle. The
ultracapacity may be sufficient for sustaining the entire short
cycle operation without consuming energy from rechargeable battery
thus prolong the life of battery.
[0072] In another exemplary embodiment, power source 1104 may be
comprised of a hybrid battery pack comprising an ultracapacitor and
a thermodynamically closed electrochemical cell battery, such as a
NiMh, NiCd, Li Ion, or Li Polymer cell battery, and a fuel cell,
which both fuel cell and battery charge an ultracapacitor. The
priority sequence for charging is that battery charges the
ultracapacity first. Upon battery is low, the fuel cell charges
either battery in turn charging ultracapacity or to charge
ultracapacity directly. In most of retail wireless handheld scanner
applications and transportation PDT applications, only a short
cycle operation time when the unit leaves the cradle. The
ultracapacity may be sufficient for sustaining the entire short
cycle operation without consuming energy from rechargeable battery
thus prolong the life of battery.
[0073] Described herein is an exemplary portable data terminal
comprising: a housing; a controller operating software and
supported by the housing; a battery well formed in the housing; a
male connector disposed in the battery well comprised of a
plurality of blade contacts, wherein at least one of the blade
contacts is shorter than other longer blade contacts; a battery
pack for seating in the battery well having a female connector
comprised of a plurality of contacts for electrically mating with
corresponding blade contacts to electrically connect the battery
pack with the male connector when the battery pack is seated in the
battery well, such that when the battery pack is unseated from the
battery well and disconnected from the male connector, the at least
one shorter blade contact is electrically unmated from it's
corresponding receptacle before the longer blade contacts are
electrically unmated from their corresponding receptacles.
[0074] Described herein is an exemplary portable data terminal
comprising: a housing; a controller operating software and
supported by the housing; a battery well formed in the housing; a
male connector disposed in the battery well comprised of a
plurality of male contacts; a battery pack for seating in the
battery well having a female connector comprised of a plurality of
female contacts for electrically mating with corresponding male
contacts to electrically connect the battery pack with the male
connector when the battery pack is seated in the battery well, such
that when the battery pack is unseated from the battery well and
disconnected from the male connector, the at least one signal male
contact is electrically unmated from it's corresponding signal
female contact to initiate a shut down procedure before other male
contacts are electrically unmated from their corresponding female
contacts, such that the other male/female contact pairs continue to
provide power to the portable data terminal until the shut down
procedure shuts down the portable data terminal.
[0075] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing
from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which
is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *